On 1/08/07 6:23 PM, "Tim Øsleby", <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> What is different is that we don't paint it at fences. We have flagpoles for > the flag. For us painting it at a fence would be very close to dishonouring > the flag, making it kitsch. > > So. Basically I believe what I was trying to explore is these cultural > differences. > Reading the post above has told me a lot. But I still don't quite get it. I think I understand what you are trying to say but you cannot quite say that in a direct way due to a sensitivity issue, can't you?. I once worked in the U.S. and have a lot of friends there. So, I respect a lot of things good about America. Having said that, I think those flag paintings are almost uniquely American phenomena. Americans are very patriotic for various reasons (good and bad :-), but painting flags everywhere? One thing is that they are at war now. But so is Canada, not in Iraq but in Afghanistan in a fair size contingency and taking casualties. But we do not see Canadian flags everywhere, not in a way to prop up the patriotism. In order to truly understand this phenomena, I believe you have to tour what is called "red states" that voted for George Bush in 2006. You probably see a lot more of these there particularly in rural areas, while not so much in "blue states" i.e., North Eastern states etc, particularly in urban area. I am of course generalizing it but "Stars and Stripes" to Americans seem to have special meaning. Japan for example once was very militaristic with strong military power and nationalism, and flags were everywhere, but not painted on fence etc. It was a no-no, as you say. I am of course not an American and cannot speak for them, but things sometimes look clearer from spectators' viewpoint. You have to just take it as a cultural matter in certain segment of American society. They are generally great people. Go figure :-). I talked too much about politically incorrect thing. Ken -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List [email protected] http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
